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Saturday 13th, Day FIVE -
Semi-Finals
It was the top seeds who won through to
the 2016 Nationals Finals, but while favourites Nick Matthew
and Laura Massaro eased through in straight games, second
seeds James Willstrop and Alison Waters were taken to
five.
[1] Nick Matthew (Eng) 3-0 [3] Daryl Selby (Eng)
11-4, 11-4,
11-7 (40m)
[2] James Willstrop (Eng) 3-2 [4] Chris Simpson (Eng)
11-5, 8-11,
8-11, 11-7, 11-8 (82m)
[1] Laura Massaro (Eng) 3-0 [7] Tesni Evans (Wal)
11-4, 11-2,
11-3 (30m)
[2] Alison Waters (Eng) 3-2 [4] Jenny Duncalf (Eng)
13-11, 11-7, 8-11,
5-11, 11-9 (56m)
Waters stops Duncalf
comeback
 Alison
Waters reached a ninth Nationals final as she came through a
five-setter with familiar adversary Jenny Duncalf in the first
semi-final - it was their 8th Nationals meeting with Waters 5-2
up.
Duncalf led throughout the first but Waters nicked it on extra
points and then dominated the second to open up a two game lead.
 Duncalf
fought back well though, taking the next two game to force a
decider but it was Waters, the four-time champion compared to
Duncalf's two, who was quicker off the mark taking a 4-0 and 6-1
lead.
Duncalf fought back again but couldn't quite close the gap as
Waters took the match with a deep crosscourt volley.
"It's a funny old game," said the winner. "Jen played really
well and came back well from two nil down. I knew I had to start
the fifth well or I wouldn't win, so I'm happy I managed to do
that."
Willstrop weathers Simpson storm
 Two
time champion and second seed James Willstrop made it through to
an eighth Nationals final after coming through a hugely
entertaining five game battle with Chris Simpson.
 Willstrop
dominated the opening game, but Simpson struck back to take the
lead 11/8, 11/8.
The fourth and fifth games were close, but it was Willstrop who
managed to find the extra at the end of both, taking the fourth
- after a short injury break for a 'dead leg' from 7-all and the
decider from 8-all.
 "What
a really enjoyable way to play squash," said Willstrop. "Really
enjoyable if a bit uncomfortable at times, all credit to Chris
for making it a really good match.
"It's great to be playing well and winning, I can't wait for
tomorrow now ..."
Massaro masterclass topples Tesni
 "Tesni
beat me in the last World Teams, I hate losing and I've been
waiting a long time for revenge," said top seed Laura
Massaro after demolishing Tesni Evans in the second women's
semi.
 Dominant
from the start, Evans could never get on terms as Massaro kept a
firm hold on the match and the scoreline throughout.
"Alison and I have grown up together playing National finals,
from Under 12 right through to this final a few times. I think
we're both better players for it, so it should be a good match
..."
Matthew storms into ninth final
 Nick
Matthew's performance against Daryl Selby was almost as dominant
as Massaro's.
 You
can never class it as easy against a competitor such as Selby,
but the top seed and seven-time champion dominated the first two
games and led 9-3 in the third before Selby mounted a serious
challenge.
It was too late by then as Matthew closed out the match 11-7 in
40 minutes.
 "I
knew Daryl's good patch was coming," said Matthew, "I'm just
glad I'd got to 9 in the third before it came!
"It's a nice feeling for James and I to get to another final,
there's a lot of competition from the younger players now who
think it's their time, hopefully I can hold them off for another
year or two."
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